Forum Democratic Change yesterday launched its 2016 presidential election campaign task force, forming what they have dubbed Power 10 (P10).
This is a group ten mobilisers at parish level to drum up support for the party’s flag-bearer Col (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye right from the grassroots level.
According to the party’s spokesperson Ssemuju Nganda, Dr Besigye has previously been accused of concentrating on mobilizing support in the urban areas, something that will now change under the new system that will see FDC groups canvass for votes from villages – door-to-door.
Ssemujju was supported by Dr Besigye, who said whoever wants change should belong to the P10 starting from the parish level.
“Each of the P10 members is obliged to raise another 10 people to multiply the force of grassroots mobilisers,” Besigye said at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Sunday.
Dr Besigye emphasized that the coordinator of P10 must have a list of all the members in the group for purposes of planning and coordination, adding that a copy of the P10 will be kept at the FDC headquarters.
“Our political teams will come from the top to bottom. All campaigns are won at the grassroots. That’s where our people should focus if we are to win this election,” said Besigye.
The flamboyant retired colonel said that casting the vote is nothing but a mere fraction of regaining power.
“We must build from the grassroots level with a strong network,” he urged the FDC leaders.
Recently the National Electoral Commission announced that presidential campaigns will kick off on Monday and Dr Besigye is set to hold his first rally in his birthplace of Rukungiri.
According to the FDC, its National Chairman Ambassador Waswa Birigwa Ssekyondwa will head the task force, deputized by Kamuli district Chairperson Ms Proscovia Salaam Musumba.
MP Geoffrey Ekanya will head the field team, assisted by Patrick Baguma, Joyce Sebugwawo, Nandala Mafabi, lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi and Chaapa Karuhanga.
Candidates on the Special Mobilisation Team are Erias Lukwago (Head) Gen David Sejusa, Ken Lukyamuzi, Moses Kasibante and Shifrah Lukwago
Maj John Kazoora, Kevina Taaka, Cecilia Ogwal, Nabilah Naggayi Ssempala and Ingrid Turinawe are part of the candidate’s team and will be moving on the candidate’s campaign trail, while Augustine Ruzindana and Col (rtd) Amanya Mushega are campaign advisors.
The FDC flag bearer explained that the campaign season “will be like war,” and called upon members to sacrifice all they can to make this campaign a success.
“We were driven by a purpose and it’s from that purpose that we drew internal strength to fight. Our commitment must remain firm,” Besigye stressed, and warned against lack of transparency, which he said would give the rivals ammunition to fight the FDC.
He also warned his team against attacking other opposition figures, saying “we will lose the bigger picture.”
He reiterated that the 2016 process “is no ordinary campaign. It’s a campaign of defiance; a campaign for people to regain their power.”
The retired Colonel also announced the splitting of campaign forces into two units – with the political team tasked with mobilization and organization while the technical team will deal with communicating the FDC’s message.
Besigye, who has lost thrice lost to incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, was nominated as FDC flag bearer last week at Namboole Stadium, and later addressed a mammoth post-nomination rally at Nakivubo stadium.
Meanwhile, in his brief remarks at party headquarters on yesterday, the FDC president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu said the massive crowds that rallied behind Besigye on his nomination day exhibited “frustration and a desire for change among our people.”
Muntu, who emphasized the need to organize the grassroots mobilization teams to build momentum for the 2016 elections said the 2016 campaign trail will be tough, and that “change is inevitable.”
